#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
The world is spinning / What happens when it stops
(Photo by @artfreddy)
Chinatown Stitch design advances despite funding cancellation
Designs for the Chinatown Stitch highway cap project are advancing despite the federal government’s recent cancellation of most of its $200 million-plus funding.
“It’s not unusual for a project to be at this phase and not have construction funding. It was actually kind of remarkable that we had put all the funding together,” said a city official. So what’s next? Continue reading …
Why did this South Philly Barbacoa co-founder open a taco spot in Poland?
Ben Corn Miller, a co-founder of South Philly Barbacoa, has launched a new barbacoa spot of his own, which opened last month. “The opening weekend was great, and we had a great turnout,” Miller said.
To go to the new spot, however, you’ll need a passport. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Judge temporarily blocks DOJ requirements for domestic violence grants in Pa. and other states. [Capital-Star]
• As Trump threatens to send federal troops to U.S. cities, Philly DA Krasner and religious leaders push back. [WHYY]
• Delaware officials plead with SEPTA, Pennsylvania lawmakers to preserve rail service to Philadelphia. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia teachers will be present for the first day of school, but September walkout looms. [WHYY]
• The Philadelphia Art Commission agreed to return a Frank Rizzo statue to the committee that originally gave it to the city to be restored, relocated. [WHYY]
• After seeing redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction. [Kensington Voice]
• Philly is in on a cap-tivating new trend — mushrooms are sprouting up in soda, protein bars and more. [Axios]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Aug. 14: Arts on Center Stage, Feat.: East Passyunk Opera Project
ePOP returns to Dilworth Park with a vibrant evening of opera and musical theater, featuring selections by Rossini, Gounod, Verdi, Donizetti and more —alongside Broadway classics from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” and Edwards & Stone’s “1776,” plus favorites from around the globe. Free. (6 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 15: Book Arts: Binding Community Cookbooks
In this hands-on bookmaking class, learn to craft your own card-keeper recipe book and exchange recipes (and the stories behind them) with your fellow attendees. You’ll leave with a feast’s worth of recipes to try and a whole new way to share the food that matters to you with the people who matter to you. At the Rosenbach Museum and Library. $45 tickets. (4 to 6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 15: Las Mariposas Galácticas at Eakins Oval
Las Mariposas Galácticas is an 8-piece Cumbia Klezmer Punk band based in Philadelphia. Drawing on the members’ South American and Jewish roots, the band creates a unique, diasporic sound that gets audiences dancing with rebellious joy. FREE. (6:30 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 15: SOUND TYPE: Yu Su x Elissa Suh
Producer, DJ and Chef Yu Su will be presenting her innovative musical culinary experience known as Polyphonic Eating. The pairing of a multiple-course meal with a carefully curated DJ set creates a melding of creative voices and flavors embodying the spirit of polyphony. Yu Su will be joining forces with local Philly restaurateur Han Chiang of Han Dynasty. At Asian Arts Initiative. $60 tickets. (8 to 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Three Mile Vision Tour for the Rail Park
A historic walking tour that explores the past, present and future of the Rail Park, highlighting the potential for this project to connect thousands of Philadelphia residents and visitors to green space and each other. Around 3 miles, beginning at 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue and ending at Phase One of the Rail Park at 1100 Callowhill Street. $9 to $20 tickets. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: The Water Shed’s EcoFEST Block Party
Celebrate environmental resilience and community creativity with hands-on learning, local vendors, art, performances and resources. Activities include a Drop-In Science Lab, the Philly Water Bar, paper shredding, electronic recycling, the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership’s Creekmobile, an art and nature activity, poetry readings, drumming and dancing, food, raffles and free giveaways! (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Festival of India
Celebrate India’s Independence Day on Cherry Street Pier with various cultural organizations, Northern and Southern-style Indian cuisine, Bollywood performances, music, shopping and fun. (2 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 16: Art Under the Stars
Dress code is “barbecue fresh” for this annual summer celebration of living artists, community and life, set at the rustic Sculpture Courtyard between Kensington and Fishtown. “The art is high quality. The talent is loud. The energy is undeniable.” Live DJ, food, cocktails, gelato. $23.18 tickets. (5 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday to Sunday, Aug. 16-17: First Annual Delco Chalk Fest
A weekend of art and fun outside of Subaru Park. Life-sized works of art by professional chalk artists from Philly and across the U.S. Create your own masterpiece, too! Food trucks, kids areas and more. (12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday)
Sunday, Aug. 17: N+T Sunday Vintage Market
Now + Then Marketplace’s first-ever, weekly, vintage-only market on Martha Street in Fishtown! Every Sunday, rain or shine, dog-friendly. New vendors each week. (12 to 5 p.m.)
